UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2015 - General Studies Paper II (CSAT) — question paper

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UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2015 - General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

Paper #3255 · 2015 · General Studies Paper II (CSAT) · 80 reviewed questions · Showing 41–80 of 80

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Accuracy note: This is a reviewed structured rendering of an official previous-year paper and may cover only part of it. Where available, explanatory notes describe unresolved source or answer issues without supplying a scoring answer. Official examination authority notices remain final.

2015 CSAT structured study edition: 80 questions, 79 official-key answers and 80 concise KSLC explanations. 1 question was officially dropped and is explained without a scoring answer. Shared passages, some tables/data and visuals are not yet fully included; questions depending on them must be read with the official PDF. Original questions and applicable copyright belong to UPSC and the respective rights holders. KSLC commentary is independent; KSLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by UPSC. Official source: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Paper-II.pdf

Which among the following is the most logical corollary to the above passage?
1. Government should allocate more funds to poverty alleviation programmes and increase food subsidies to the poor communities.
2. Poverty and climate impacts reinforce each other and therefore we have to re-imagine our food systems.
3. All the countries of the world must unite in fighting poverty and malnutrition and treat poverty as a global problem.
4. We must stop unsustainable agricultural practices immediately and control food prices.
Which among the following is the most rational and critical inference that can be made from the above passage?
1. Foreign portfolio investments are not good for emerging economies.
2. Advanced economies undermine the global financial stability.
3. India should desist from accepting foreign portfolio investments in the future.
4. Emerging economies are at a risk of shock from advanced economies.
Which among the following is the most critical inference that can be made from the above passage?
1. The Central and State governments in India do not have enough resources to afford a latrine for each household.
2. Open defecation is the most important public health problem of India.
3. Open defecation reduces the human capital of India’s workforce.
4. Open defecation is a public health problem in all developing countries.
Which one of the following statements best sums up the above passage?
1. Our country has a lot of diversity with its many castes, communities and religions.
2. True democracy could be established by providing equal opportunities to all.
3. So far none of us have actually understood the meaning of democracy.
4. It will never be possible for us to establish truly democratic governance in our country.
With reference to the above passage, consider the following statements: 1. Indian financial institutions do not offer any financial instruments to rural households to mobilise their savings. 2. Poor households tend to spend their earnings/savings due to lack of access to appropriate financial instruments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
What is the crucial message conveyed in the passage?
1. Establish more banks
2. Increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate
3. Increase the interest rate of bank deposits
4. Promote financial inclusion
Which among the following is the most logical assumption that can be made from the above passage?
1. Government should always be given wide discretionary power in all matters of administration.
2. The supremacy of rules and safeguards should prevail as opposed to the influence of exclusive discretion of authority.
3. Parliamentary democracy is possible only if the Government has wider discretionary power.
4. None of the above statements is a logical assumption that can be made from this passage.
A selection is to be made for one post of Principal and two posts of Vice-Principal. Amongst the six candidates called for the interview, only two are eligible for the post of Principal while they are all eligible for the post of Vice-Principal. The number of possible combinations of selectees is
1. 4
2. 12
3. 18
4. None of the above
A student has to opt for 2 subjects out of 5 subjects for a course, namely, Commerce, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics I and Mathematics II. Mathematics II can be offered only if Mathematics I is also opted. The number of different combinations of two subjects which can be opted is
1. 5
2. 6
3. 7
4. 8
A person ordered 5 pairs of black socks and some pairs of brown socks. The price of a black pair was thrice that of a brown pair. While preparing the bill, the bill clerk interchanged the number of black and brown pairs by mistake which increased the bill by 100%. What was the number of pairs of brown socks in the original order?
1. 10
2. 15
3. 20
4. 25
The number of persons who read magazine X only is thrice the number of persons who read magazine Y. The number of persons who read magazine Y only is thrice the number of persons who read magazine X. Then, which of the following conclusions can be drawn? 1. The number of persons who read both the magazines is twice the number of persons who read only magazine X. 2. The total number of persons who read either one magazine or both the magazines is twice the number of persons who read both the magazines. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
The graph below depicts the earnings of A and B over the period 2000 to 2010. From the graph, which one of the following can be concluded?
1. On the average A earned more than B during this period.
2. On the average B earned more than A during this period.
3. The earnings of A and B were equal during this period.
4. The earnings of A were less as compared to B during this period.
Two pipes A and B can independently fill a tank completely in 20 and 30 minutes respectively. If both the pipes are opened simultaneously, how much time will they take to fill the tank completely?
1. 10 minutes
2. 12 minutes
3. 15 minutes
4. 25 minutes
Each of the six different faces of a cube has been coated with a different colour i.e., V, I, B, G, Y and O. Following information is given: 1. Colours Y, O and B are on adjacent faces. 2. Colours I, G and Y are on adjacent faces. 3. Colours B, G and Y are on adjacent faces. 4. Colours O, V and B are on adjacent faces. Which is the colour of the face opposite to the face coloured with O?
1. B
2. V
3. G
4. I
Consider the following statements followed by two conclusions: Statements: Some men are great. Some men are wise. Conclusion I: Men are either great or wise. Conclusion II: Some men are neither great nor wise. Which one of the following is correct?
1. Only conclusion I is valid
2. Only conclusion II is valid
3. Both the conclusions are valid
4. Neither of the conclusions is valid
Consider the following statements: 1. Some claim to have seen UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects). 2. Life on other heavenly bodies is considered to be a possibility. 3. Voyage to space is now an established fact. From the above statements, it may be concluded that
1. UFOs are heavenly bodies
2. UFOs are sent from other heavenly bodies
3. Some living species in other heavenly bodies are more intelligent than man
4. Nothing definite can be said about the UFOs
If ABC × DEED = ABCABC; where A, B, C, D and E are different digits, what are the values of D and E?
1. D = 2, E = 0
2. D = 0, E = 1
3. D = 1, E = 0
4. D = 1, E = 2
Year-wise variation of the price of a certain commodity is shown in the following graph. The price of the commodity in the year 1990
1. must have been ₹10/-
2. must have been ₹12/-
3. must have been anywhere between ₹10/- and ₹20/-
4. is higher than that in the year 1991
The proportion of expenditure on various items by two families A and B are represented in the following Bar Charts. From these charts, we can conclude that
1. Family A spent more money on food than Family B.
2. Family B spent more money on food than Family A.
3. Family A and Family B spent the same amount on food.
4. The expenditure on food by Family A and Family B cannot be compared.
Usha runs faster than Kamala, Priti runs slower than Swati, Swati runs slower than Kamala. Who is the slowest runner?
1. Kamala
2. Priti
3. Swati
4. Usha
What is the most logical, rational and crucial message that is implied in the above passage?
1. Under the present circumstances, India should completely avoid all trade liberalisation policies and all subsidies.
2. Due to its peculiar socio-economic situation, India is not yet ready for trade liberalisation process.
3. There is no solution in sight for the problems of continuing poverty and inflation in India in the near future.
4. Economic reforms can often create a high inflation economy.
In the light of the argument in the above passage, which one of the following statements is the most convincing explanation?
1. The Right of personal property is a Natural Right duly supported by statutes and scriptures.
2. Personal property is a theft and an instrument of exploitation. The Right of personal property is therefore violative of economic justice.
3. The Right of personal property is violative of distributive justice and negates the principle of cooperation.
4. The comprehensive idea of economic justice demands that the Right of each person to acquisition of property has to be reconciled with that of others.
The author’s viewpoint can be best summed up in which of the following statements?
1. The conflict between the claims of State and individual remains unresolved.
2. Anarchy and chaos are the obvious results of democratic traditions.
3. Old values, ideas and traditions persist despite the dynamic nature of human society.
4. Constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech is not in the interest of society.
According to the passage, which of the following is/are a matter of intense debate in the multilateral negotiations under UNFCCC regarding the role of developing countries in climate change? 1. The scale and size of required financial support. 2. The crop loss due to climate change in the developing countries. 3. To enhance the mitigation and adaptation actions in the developing countries. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
In this passage, the Convention puts the responsibility for the provision of financial support on the developed countries because of 1. their higher level of per capita incomes. 2. their large quantum of GDP. 3. their large contribution to the stock of GHGs in the atmosphere. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
With regards to developing countries, it can be inferred from the passage that climate change is likely to have implications on their 1. domestic finances. 2. capacity for multilateral trade. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Which one of the following is essentially discussed in the passage?
1. Conflict between developed and developing countries regarding support for mitigation
2. Occurrence of climate change due to excessive exploitation of natural resources by the developed countries
3. Lack of political will on the part of all the countries to implement adaptation plans
4. Governance problems of developing countries as a result of climate change
Between 6 PM and 7 PM the minute hand of a clock will be ahead of the hour hand by 3 minutes at
1. 6:15 PM
2. 6:18 PM
3. 6:36 PM
4. 6:48 PM
There are 5 tasks and 5 persons. Task-1 cannot be assigned to either person-1 or person-2. Task-2 must be assigned to either person-3 or person-4. Every person is to be assigned one task. In how many ways can the assignment be done?
1. 6
2. 12
3. 24
4. 144
The monthly incomes of Peter and Paul are in the ratio of 4:3. Their expenses are in the ratio of 3:2. If each saves ₹6,000 at the end of the month, their monthly incomes respectively are (in ₹)
1. 24,000 and 18,000
2. 28,000 and 21,000
3. 32,000 and 24,000
4. 34,000 and 26,000
Two cities A and B are 360 km apart. A car goes from A to B with a speed of 40 km/hr and returns to A with a speed of 60 km/hr. What is the average speed of the car?
1. 45 km/hr
2. 48 km/hr
3. 50 km/hr
4. 55 km/hr
Which one of the following is possible?
1. D is 20 years old
2. F is 18 years old
3. F is 19 years old
4. F is 20 years old
What is the number of logically possible orders of all six cousins in terms of increasing age?
1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
In a society it is customary for friends of the same sex to hug and for friends of opposite sex to shake hands when they meet. A group of friends met in a party and there were 24 handshakes. Which one among the following numbers indicates the possible number of hugs?
1. 39
2. 30
3. 21
4. 20
Two men, Anil and David, and two women, Shabnam and Rekha are in a sales group. Only two speak Tamil. The other two speak Marathi. Only one man and one woman can drive a car. Shabnam speaks Marathi. Anil speaks Tamil. Both Rekha and David can drive. Which of the following statements is true?
1. Both the Tamil speakers can drive a car.
2. Both the Marathi speakers can drive a car.
3. Both of those who can drive a car speak Marathi.
4. One of those who can drive a car speaks Tamil.
In a plane, line X is perpendicular to line Y and parallel to line Z; line U is perpendicular to both lines V and W; line X is perpendicular to line V. Which one of the following statements is correct?
1. Z, U and W are parallel.
2. X, V and Y are parallel.
3. Z, V and U are all perpendicular to W.
4. Y, V and W are parallel.
A cow costs more than 4 goats but less than 5 goats. If a goat costs between ₹600 and ₹800, which of the following is a most valid conclusion?
1. A cow costs more than ₹2,500.
2. A cow costs less than ₹3,600.
3. A cow costs between ₹2,600 and ₹3,800.
4. A cow costs between ₹2,400 and ₹4,000.
A society consists of only two types of people—fighters and cowards. Two cowards are always friends. A fighter and a coward are always enemies. Fighters are indifferent to one another. If A and B are enemies, C and D are friends, E and F are indifferent to each other, A and E are not enemies, while B and F are enemies, which of the following statements is correct?
1. B, C and F are cowards.
2. A, E and F are fighters.
3. B and E are in the same category.
4. A and F are in different categories.
In a box of marbles, there are three less white marbles than the red ones and five more white marbles than the green ones. If there are a total of 10 white marbles, how many marbles are there in the box?
1. 26
2. 28
3. 32
4. 36
Candidates in a competitive examination consisted of 60% men and 40% women. 70% men and 75% women cleared the qualifying test and entered the final test, where 80% men and 70% women were successful. Which of the following statements is correct?
1. Success rate is higher for women.
2. Overall success rate is below 50%.
3. More men cleared the examination than women.
4. Both (a) and (b) above are correct.

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